After studying Hard Rock Geology at Millersville University, Dan found his true passion and began his fluid power career after helping his father in his new business, a hydraulic jack repair shop located in their backyard. After gaining this hands-on experience with hydraulics, he realized that this was a real-world application of the math and physics classes he had taken at university.
As Dan continued to work with his father and grow the business, he took night classes in machining, electrical, welding and fluid power. In 1984, Turner Hydraulics was incorporated. The company merged with another hydraulic shop and moved the business to an industrial park. From there, the company expanded its services and products to include industrial fluid power and service station equipment.
In 1993, Dan purchased the ownership of the company and, in 1996, he started TASCorp (Turner Automation Services Corp), as he realized that electrical drives and controls were beginning to be a big part of machine design. Around 2001, Turner and TASCorp began building stage systems for music stars and other high-profile performances and venues.
In 2016, Dan started GPM Controls to handle the Schrupp Accumulator Program which he purchased to enter the accumulator manufacturing market. He moved the Schrupp program to Carlisle and has been developing national distribution and international collaboration to represent products required in the US, though manufactured elsewhere.
Dan is a past President and current board member of the Equipment Service Association (ESA). He is an Accredited Instructor for the IFPS and has taught courses for the local community college and trade schools as well as presented at seminars for the PA Dept of Agriculture, ASME and numerous other groups. This year he is serving as a judge for the NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge.
